From the opening bell of the Atlanta Boat Show in early January through the Hartford Boat Show in late Jan/early Feb right up to this weekend’s Palm Beach Boat Show, the winter show circuit has delivered a clear message: boating is getting smarter, more connected, and more power-hungry (in a good way). The marine products and systems that support that demand are evolving fast. 

For Marine Special Products Group clients, this translates into better navigation and sonar, cleaner installs, more reliable onboard power, and solar + battery systems that feel less like “add-ons” and more like a true energy platform.

Following is a roundup of the most interesting developments and product themes we’ve seen or read about emerging from this winter’s shows—especially as they relate to marine electronics, power management, and solar charging.

Multi-Function Displays keep leveling up (clarity, speed, integration)

The headline electronics story of the winter seems to be that helm displays and networked systems continue to consolidate — meaning more capability from fewer boxes, and tighter integration across radar, sonar, autopilot, digital switching, and entertainment.

At the Miami International Boat Show, multiple manufacturers highlighted new and noteworthy display electronics that boaters should prioritize considering. Standouts included Furuno’s TZtouchE and the broader Furuno NavNet TZtouch series ecosystem, which continue to push the category forward with faster processors, improved touchscreen usability, and deeper integration across radar, sonar, and charting.

These systems are designed to operate as either compact standalone navigation units or as part of a larger integrated helm network, making it easier for boat owners to scale a system over time rather than replacing everything at once.

Furuno also highlighted continued enhancements to their radar integration with the Furuno DRS4D‑NXT and related Doppler radar platforms, which pair directly with the TZtouch ecosystem to deliver improved target separation, collision awareness, and bird-finding capability for offshore anglers.

What this means for owners: if your current system is 5–8+ years old, the jump in screen readability, processing speed, networking, and sensor fusion can be significant. And if you’re planning radar + sonar + autopilot upgrades, it’s worth designing the system as a single integrated architecture rather than buying components “one at a time.”

Sonar and transducers: higher resolution, more specialized use-cases

Even at consumer-facing winter shows, education around sonar and transducers remains front-and-center—because the technology (and the choices) have exploded. Multiple Discover Boating show guides promoted seminars that specifically cover chart plotters, fish finders, transducers, wiring, and autopilots—exactly the areas where buyers often need practical clarity before purchasing. 

From a product standpoint, Lowrance rolled out its ActiveTarget® 2 XL live sonar system, which earned an NMMA Innovation Award for delivering ultra-clear, wide-angle real-time sonar views from a single transducer—highlighting meaningful advances in situational awareness and fish-tracking performance for anglers evaluating a sonar upgrade versus a broader electronics refresh.

What this means for owners: the “best” sonar setup depends on how you boat—coastal cruising vs. offshore, trolling vs. vertical jigging, sail vs. power, single station vs. dual station. The right transducer selection and installation approach can matter as much as the head unit brand.

Power systems are moving toward 48V, lithium-first “house power” architecture

One of the most consequential trends is literally electrical. The industry is rapidly shifting from traditional 12V/24V, generator-dependent setups toward higher-capacity battery banks, smarter distribution, and more efficient conversion.

A key datapoint: NMMA’s Miami Innovation Awards highlighted Navico Group’s Fathom e-power system, described as an integrated 48-volt lithium-based approach designed to extend time away from charging sources and support growing onboard electrical loads (including air conditioning) without relying solely on a generator.

What this means for owners: if you’re adding large loads (multiple displays, radar, refrigeration upgrades, electric cooking, AC at anchor), it’s time to think holistically—battery chemistry, charging sources, cabling, overcurrent protection, ventilation, monitoring, and DC-DC conversion. Done right, this is where boats become dramatically easier to live with.

Solar isn’t “just panels” anymore—it’s an energy strategy

Solar at the winter shows continues to evolve from “trickle charging” into a real contributor to daily energy needs—especially paired with lithium and smart regulators. That’s true in both retrofit markets and on newer boats that are being built with solar readiness in mind.

At the Hartford show, Solara showcased their Power M walk-on solar panels which solve for limited onboard energy and reliance on noisy generators by providing high-efficiency, marine-rated solar that’s strong enough to be walked on and integrated seamlessly into deck surfaces. They deliver durable, continuous renewable power to house batteries, reducing charging downtime and extending time at anchor while enhancing safety and convenience on board.

What this means for owners: the best solar upgrade is designed around your real usage—overnights on the hook, refrigeration duty cycle, inverter loads, and seasonal sun angles. Panel selection is important, but so are mounting, wiring runs, controller selection, shading mitigation, and battery integration.

How Marine Special Products Group helps you turn “boat show ideas” into a reliable system

If you came home from the winter shows with a shortlist—new displays, radar/sonar, upgraded batteries, solar charging, or cleaner power distribution—MSPG can help you:

• Map your system architecture (today vs. where you want to be in 2–3 seasons)
  
• Right-size batteries + charging sources (shore power, alternators, solar, DC-DC)
  
• Design a clean network and wiring plan that supports future expansion
• Install and commission so everything plays nicely together—quiet power, solid connections, and dependable performance

Despite all the rainy, cold weather so far this Spring here in Connecticut, the fact is that boating season is just around the corner. We’ve begun installations and are booking out so contact us today if you would like to discuss electrical, marine electronics or solar energy platform systems, please contact DG Fitton of Marine Special Products Group. DG would be happy to talk with you about upgrading or refitting the marine electronics on your vessel.